By Martin Walker
Craig Liddle admits the enforced break has come at a good time for Darlington.
Darlo’s game at home to Luton this weekend was re-arranged due to their involvement in the FA Trophy.
And amid a nine-match winless run, and with a number of injuries to the few experienced players Liddle has at his disposal, the break will do the side some good.
Quakers’ next game is at home to Stockport County at the Northern Echo Arena next Saturday – 11 days after their last outing (the 5-2 defeat at Mansfield Town).
Adam Rundle, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Ryan Bowman, Aaron Brown and Paul Arnison have all missed training this week.
“The break will give us a good chance to re-group,” admitted Liddle, who took the Under-18s game at home to Rotherham United yesterday as well as the Under-16s against Hartlepool United today.
“Having to play three consecutive away games was another frustration for me.
“I wanted to switch the Mansfield game to later in the season, the league were having none of it, so we had to just get on with it.
“The mental side is taking its toll with the young players. They’re going into games and it’s a whole new experience for them.
“I don’t doubt their ability, I know they’re good enough to perform at this level. But they’re not experienced enough to deal with the situation we’re in so it’s difficult.
“But we’ve got a run of games now which I think we’re more than capable of winning.”
Liddle admits he has had chance to calm down after Tuesday night’s defeat – even though he was happy with his side’s performance, he was left frustrated.
He said: “Things have settled down a bit now. I felt I was banging my head against a brick wall on Tuesday, but once things have settled down, you think about things with a clear head, and as far as I’m concerned it’s business as usual.
“I was just saying if there was someone out there who could take this job off me, they were welcome to it. But it’s not about that, it’s about the football club and making sure we stay up, simple as that.
“The one good thing is that for the first time in a while we at least know we have a short-term future – we know where we stand off the field so it’s just a case of making sure we turn things around and stay up at all costs.”
Liddle continues to be amazed by the support of Darlington fans.
“The support has just been unbelievable,” he said.
“The majority that were there at Mansfield on Tuesday night looked at the performance, rather than the result, which is why they applauded every one of them off at the final whistle.
“I think they appreciated what the lads were trying to do, playing football how they’ve been taught to do.
“The result didn’t merit the performance. On the night we were just undone by the physicality of Mansfield and a little bit of naivety on our part.
“But the kids will learn from it and in the long run will make them better players for the experience.